VehicleVerdict

1996 Dodge Ram brakes problems

The 1996 Dodge Ram has 236 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 26% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

236

Brakes complaints

26%

Share of year

23

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

97V068000BrakesApril 28, 1997 · 58,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE ENGINE DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP CAN ALLOW ENGINE OIL INTO THE VACUUM HOSES DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF AN INTERNAL CHECK VALVE. THE OIL CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO DETERIORATE AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSE, REDUCING THE VACUUM SUPPLY TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

REDUCED POWER BRAKE ASSIST CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A VACUUM PUMP CHECK VALVE TO THE VACUUM PUMP. IN ADDITION, THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTED TO THE VACUUM PUMP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A HOSE THAT IS ENGINE OIL RESISTANT.

What owners report

ON THREE OCCASIONS BRAKES HAVE LOST PRESSURE TO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. ON LAST INCIDENT ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF LOSING BRAKING ENTIRELY. SINCE SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED AND INSPECTION OF BRAKING COMPONENTS,EXCLUDING ABS, HAVE NOT UNCOVERED DEFECT IT,BUT LIGHT ON ABS SYSTEM HAS TURNED ON -INDICATING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 5, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 Dodge Ram have?

NHTSA has 236 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram brakes — 26% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Dodge Ram brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 97V068000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.